Brucellosis in elk decreased in 2015

(Cheyenne, Wyo.) - The prevalence of brucellosis in Wyoming’s elk herds not
utilizing feedgrounds decreased in 2015 according to a recent Wyoming Game
and Fish Department (WGFD) report.
But, recent testing shows two cow elk in the northwest portion of the
Bighorn Mountains tested positive for brucellosis recently. This is the
fourth year in a row that elk from the Bighorns have tested positive.
“Brucellosis in elk is likely at low levels in the Bighorn Mountains, but
it is obviously still a concern to find it there,” said Hank Edwards, Game
and Fish wildlife disease specialist. “Based on this year’s findings,
brucellosis doesn’t appear to be increasing in these elk herds. That said,
additional surveillance is required for us to continue to monitor and
understand the prevalence of brucellosis within these elk herds.”
According to the WGFD, each year Game and Fish monitors the distribution
and prevalence of brucellosis within the state’s elk herds by working with
hunters to collect blood samples from their harvested animals. Hunters who
harvest and return blood samples are the core of the brucellosis
surveillance program. In 2015, over 10,500 blood collection kits were
mailed or directly handed to elk hunters successful in limited quota elk
license drawings in the targeted surveillance elk hunt areas. In general,
hunters return between 1,000 and 1,500 blood samples to the Game and Fish
Wildlife Health laboratory, of which approximately 60 percent are suitable
for testing.
A total of 344 useable samples were collected over the past four years of
surveillance in the southeastern corner of the state. All samples tested
negative for exposure to Brucella abortus, the brucellosis bacteria. To
date, this disease has not been documented outside of western half of the
state.
*Feature Photo: A bull elk strikes a pose in the morning light on the
National Elk Refuge. Credit: USFWS / Tony Hough, refuge volunteer /

Brucellosis in elk decreased in 2015

(Cheyenne, Wyo.) - The prevalence of brucellosis in Wyoming’s elk herds not
utilizing feedgrounds decreased in 2015 according to a recent Wyoming Game
and Fish Department (WGFD) report.
But, recent testing shows two cow elk in the northwest portion of the
Bighorn Mountains tested positive for brucellosis recently. This is the
fourth year in a row that elk from the Bighorns have tested positive.
“Brucellosis in elk is likely at low levels in the Bighorn Mountains, but
it is obviously still a concern to find it there,” said Hank Edwards, Game
and Fish wildlife disease specialist. “Based on this year’s findings,
brucellosis doesn’t appear to be increasing in these elk herds. That said,
additional surveillance is required for us to continue to monitor and
understand the prevalence of brucellosis within these elk herds.”
According to the WGFD, each year Game and Fish monitors the distribution
and prevalence of brucellosis within the state’s elk herds by working with
hunters to collect blood samples from their harvested animals. Hunters who
harvest and return blood samples are the core of the brucellosis
surveillance program. In 2015, over 10,500 blood collection kits were
mailed or directly handed to elk hunters successful in limited quota elk
license drawings in the targeted surveillance elk hunt areas. In general,
hunters return between 1,000 and 1,500 blood samples to the Game and Fish
Wildlife Health laboratory, of which approximately 60 percent are suitable
for testing.
A total of 344 useable samples were collected over the past four years of
surveillance in the southeastern corner of the state. All samples tested
negative for exposure to Brucella abortus, the brucellosis bacteria. To
date, this disease has not been documented outside of western half of the
state.
*Feature Photo: A bull elk strikes a pose in the morning light on the
National Elk Refuge. Credit: USFWS / Tony Hough, refuge volunteer /